A thoughtful Mansfield man is planning a 50-mile sponsored walk in tribute to those who have died during the pandemic — and to thank NHS staff for their work during the past two years.

Garry Watkinson will walk the length of the River Maun — from between Sutton and Kirkby to West Drayton, near Markham Moor — and then return to King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton.

He said the estimated 143,600 steps on the walk — together with those in training — would represent one for each person who has died with coronavirus during the pandemic.

Garry, 52, who works at Eviosys, Sutton (previously Crown Aerosols, originally Metal Box), is also raising money for the Sherwood Forest Hospitals General Charitable Fund.

He expects his walk on 4th March — the second anniversary of the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in the UK — and 5th March to take 20 hours.

“Since then there has been excessive amounts of people that has had the virus,” Garry said. “Due to the amount of people with the virus being admitted to hospital the NHS has been under extraordinary and excessive stresses and pressures — and during this time sadly a lot of people have lost their lives to the virus.

“The NHS has been on the frontline of this crisis. From doctors and nurses, to administrators and cleaning staff, these essential workers are helping people with or without the virus and are working long and very busy hours through this testing time.

“This event is to acknowledge all the hard work that the NHS staff have done since we have had this pandemic and also the number of people who have died of Covid.

“Each step will be in remembrance of every person who has lost their life to the virus.

“I will be walking from the source of the River Maun at Sutton Parkway Station along its course to its end where it meets the River Meden and River Idle and then back to King’s Mill Hospital.

“Please help me raise money in recognition of the hard work of all in the NHS and to to remember all those who have lost their lives during the Covid pandemic.”

To make a donation to Garry’s fundraising go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/myshortwalks

In 2016 Garry walked 23 miles along the full length of the River Maun in aid of the Special Care Baby Unit at King’s Mill Hospital.